World · North America · 2 hrs ago
Southern California fires prompt evacuations and power shutoffs
Several brush fires are burning in Southern California, where hot, dry and windy weather is increasing the risk of fast-spreading flames.
The Bryson fire near Malibu grew to about 200 acres and prompted evacuation orders and warnings in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Fires also broke out in Azusa and near Camp Pendleton; the Azusa fire’s forward progress was stopped, and Camp Pendleton’s evacuation orders were lifted by evening.
More than 150,000 customers across California lost power after utilities shut off electricity as a precaution, because power equipment has sparked some of the state’s worst fires in recent years.
The fires come as Santa Ana winds raise fire danger across the region; the strongest winds were expected through Friday afternoon, though they were forecast to be weaker than during the deadly January 2025 fires.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass directed the city fire department to deploy staff and equipment ahead of the winds, and the department requested state assistance.
Fire officials planned to provide an update Friday morning, while several days of elevated fire risk were forecast.
Several wildfires in Southern California prompted evacuations as hot, dry and windy weather raised fire risks.
The Bryson fire in Malibu grew to about 200 acres and led to evacuation orders and warnings in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Fires also burned near Azusa and Camp Pendleton, where some evacuation orders were later lifted.
Utilities shut off power to more than 150,000 customers across California as a precaution.
- Who
- Residents in parts of Southern California faced evacuation orders; firefighters and utility companies responded.
- What
- Multiple wildfires prompted evacuations, while utilities shut off power to more than 150,000 customers.
- When
- The fires broke out Thursday, October 15, 2026; fire risks and strong winds were expected to continue into Friday.
- Where
- Southern California, including Malibu, Azusa and Camp Pendleton.
- Why
- Hot, dry conditions and strong winds, including the first Santa Ana wind event of the season, increased fire danger.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Multiple fires broke out in Southern California amid the first Santa Ana wind event of the season.
Evacuation orders were issued in the Las Flores area of Camp Pendleton and lifted by evening.
The Bryson fire broke out in Malibu and prompted mandatory evacuations.
More than 285 firefighters battled the Bryson fire, which grew to about 200 acres.
Strong winds were forecast to continue, with the National Weather Service warning of critical fire-weather conditions.
- Bryson fire
- About 200 acres (81 hectares)
- Bryson firefighting effort
- More than 285 firefighters
- Azusa fire
- More than 40 acres (16 hectares)
- Power shutoffs
- More than 150,000 customers across California
- Camp Pendleton evacuation area
- Las Flores
- Henderson fire
- More than 1,000 acres, according to CalFire
3 sources
What people are saying
It’s a pretty widespread event of elevated fire weather, so the whole SoCal region should really be on alert.
We are closely monitoring the Bryson Fire in Malibu
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We are closely monitoring the Bryson Fire in Malibu. While the fire is burning outside of the City of Los Angeles, the LAFD is prepared to respond to any fire threat that could emerge and has predeployed resources across the San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica Mountains, Hollywood